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"Due to the importance of shafts to mine safety, the feasibility of conducting a three dimensional, finite element analysis was investigated. Experience gained from three dimensional analyses of undercut and fill stopping at the Lucky Friday Mine and of vertical crater retreat mining at the Homestake Mine were useful in addressing the issues associated with shaft pillar mining. Borehole extensometers and other instruments were installed to provide data for model verification and to monitor shaft displacement. Results of a calibrated two dimensional model (UTAH2) confirmed the premining stability evaluation. After mining began, however, concern developed because of cracks and other regions of ground motion that appeared at considerable distances from the areas of active pillar mining. The computer modeling program UTAH3 was initiated for an intense three dimensional modeling effort. The results of that analysis indicated that the observed defects were within expectations and that the shaft would remain safe. Three dimensional analyses of alternate pillar mining scenarios indicated that more of the shaft pillar ore reserve could be recovered than previously thought on the basis of two dimensional analyses. The study demonstrated that through an integrated program of laboratory testing, stress analysis, and mine measurements, the three dimensional, finite element analysis is an engineering tool for mine stability analyses and design where the cost is justified by the importance of the mining objective, in this case, the safe and profitable recovery of ore in shaft pillars." - NIOSHTIC-2

"A U.S. Bureau of Mines case study of pillar recovery in high-grade ore near the Ross shaft at the Homestake Mine, Lead, SD, has demonstrated the usefulness of the finite-element method for the evaluation of shaft pillar mining plans and shaft stabil...

"A U.S. Bureau of Mines case study of pillar recovery in high-grade ore near the ross shaft at the Homestake Mine, Lead, South Dakota, has demonstrated the usefulness of the finite-element method for evaluating shaft pillar mining plans and shaft sta...

The U.S. Bureau of Mines has been conducting a series of rock mechanics investigations at the Lucky Friday Mine in the Coeur d'Alene Mining District of northern Idaho. The present study uses rock deformation measurements to validate and calibrate a g...

"Reports of Investigations (RIs) present the results of original mining health and safety research. They describe individual, short-term studies and include the objective of the research, the materials and techniques used, and the results of tests or...

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health;

Published:

1999

Series:

DHHS publication ; no. (NIOSH) 99-102

Description:

"Reports of Investigations (RIs) present the results of original mining health and safety research. They describe individual, short-term studies and include the objective of the research, the materials and techniques used, and the results of tests or...